(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – A Columbus-based collision repair shop routinely failed to deliver, performed shoddy work and violated the Do Not Call law, according to a lawsuit filed today by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray. The complaint, filed in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, charges Mid-Ohio Collision LLC (Mid-Ohio) and its owner, Dominic Cimino, with multiple violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (CSPA) and Do Not Call law.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, today announced the arrests of four individuals in connection with an ongoing investigation into suspected health care fraud at Three Rivers Infusion and Pharmacy Specialists (Three Rivers) in Coshocton.

(BARBERTON, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and Barberton Mayor Bob Genet are warning city residents of a new scam targeting their region.

Some Barberton area residents have recently received flyers titled, “Five facts about Water Line Service Coverage.” The advertisement implies that homeowners need water line service coverage and requests payment of $59.88 by credit card, E-Z pay checking or money order. By design, the flyer appears to be endorsed by the state of Ohio and city of Barberton, but officials warn that it is not.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — In a letter this week to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Sheila C. Bair, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke, Acting Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision John Bowman and Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray joins 23 other state attorneys general in asking for further support on behalf of community banks.

In the letter, the attorneys general ask the federal agencies to make every effort to fairly regulate community banks as these banks continue to weather the economic crisis. Noting that the federal government’s recent recovery programs have focused primarily on large banks, the letter states, “it is essential that the problems facing community banks also receive due attention.”

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray today was handed a favorable decision by the Ohio Supreme Court in a case involving a law that would protect children from receiving obscene material online.

“This law is an important tool for local law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to combat sexual predators’ use of the Internet and other electronic communications to prey on our young people,” said Attorney General Cordray. “I am pleased that the Ohio Supreme Court agreed with our reading of the statute, and I believe that our understanding of the law means that it is constitutional.”

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray today joined the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and 16 other state attorneys general in a settlement with Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. and Live Nation Inc., requiring the companies to make major concessions in order to close a proposed merger announced early last year. 

In a complaint also filed today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, DOJ and the states allege that the pending merger, if closed without concessions, would violate antitrust laws because it would eliminate head-to-head competition between the two largest ticket servicing companies in the United States.  The merger also would create an entertainment powerhouse that would dominate the industry through multiple business segments including ticket sales, concert promotion, artist management and venue ownership.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Attorney General Richard Cordray today announced Ohio has joined 22 other states and the federal government in a $24 million settlement with the management company for a chain of pediatric dental clinics. The settlement resolves allegations against FORBA Holdings, LLC that the company submitted claims for reimbursement to Medicaid for medically unnecessary dental procedures. Ohio’s share of the settlement will be $2.29 million.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Foreclosure numbers will get worse before they get better, according to findings released today by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and the State Foreclosure Prevention Working Group, made up of 10 other state attorneys general.

“The data shows that one in seven borrowers is behind in their mortgage,” said Cordray. “And hundreds of thousands of homeowners have adjustable-rate mortgages waiting to reset, ultimately sending even more into default. As our report outlines, servicers are long overdue to step up and start taking legitimate steps in reducing foreclosures. If they choose not to, the picture is grim.” 

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) —With tax return season upon us, some tax preparation companies, payday lenders and even car dealers advertise tax refund products as “fast cash refunds” or “instant refunds.” Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray today warns that, unfortunately, the only “fast” things about many of these “refunds” are the fees that go with them, often turning what would have been extra cash into a high-interest loan. 

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The devastation in Haiti has put the power of online social networks on full display as consumers are being asked to Twitter information and text donations in support of earthquake relief efforts. Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray is encouraging consumers to ask questions and make sure they understand how they will be billed for donations made via cell phone before they give.